December ’24 at-a-glance … environment

EPA amends final rule for variable refrigerant flow air conditioning subsector

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amended a provision of the 2023 Technology Transitions regulations under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 (AIM Act). The final rule is effective Jan. 13, 2025. This action provides until Jan. 1, 2027, for the installation of certain new variable refrigerant flow air conditioning and heat pump systems that use components manufactured in the U.S. or imported into the U.S. prior to Jan. 1, 2026. This action also provides until Jan. 1, 2028, for the installation of certain new variable refrigerant flow air conditioning and heat pump systems if a building permit that approves the use of a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) or blend containing an HFC in such a system was issued prior to Oct. 5, 2023, provided that the system uses components manufactured in the United States or imported into the U.S. prior to Jan. 1, 2026. This action will mitigate the potential for stranded inventory of variable refrigerant flow systems.

Canada PFAS reports due early next year

A reminder that Canada’s new PFAS reporting rule requires manufacturers and importers of PFAS to collect and report information on 312 PFAS by Jan. 29, 2025. All businesses with five or more employees, or more than $30,000 in annual gross revenue, must report.